Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows a town square and surrounding area in 2014 and the plans for development of the area to be completed by 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The following diagram shows two town squares in different years. One was established in 2014 and the other one was present in 2020. So, there are 6 years of difference between two. In 2014, town square was built like a convential town. There were a fish market in 2014 which converted into supermarket in 2020. History museum was replaced by local artists gallery. Initially, fish restaurants and bars were located inside the town but after some years they were shifted into outside the town square. In 2014, bandstand were there but in 2020 plant beds were also available to feed the plants and even a play ground were there for childs to play. Fountain were still the same. In 2014 town square were surrounded by local buildings but gradually that buildings were replaced by shops which is also a progressive move. Covered seating were present in 2020 for the people so they can rest or sit if they want. Library was not existed now. So yes plans for the development of town square by 2020 are impressive and if things were came into action just like the plan this town square will be a developed area in so many ways

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying key changes such as the conversion of the fish market to a supermarket and the relocation of restaurants. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The description is somewhat list-like, focusing on individual items rather than synthesizing the information into a coherent comparison. Additionally, there are some inaccuracies in the reporting, such as stating the library 'was not existed now,' which is unclear. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory summary of the overall transformation and group related changes together logically.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into a single block of text, which hinders readability. Paragraphing is essential in IELTS Writing Task 1 to separate the introduction/overview from the body details. While there is a logical attempt to move through the changes, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In 2014... in 2020...'). The flow between sentences is often abrupt, and the lack of clear paragraph breaks makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed. Using a wider variety of linking words and structuring the essay into at least three distinct paragraphs would significantly improve the coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choices, such as 'convential town' (conventional), 'childs' (children), and 'that buildings' (those buildings). The repetition of basic verbs like 'were' and 'shifted' limits the lexical variety. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to urban development, such as 'transformed,' 'redeveloped,' 'relocated,' or 'replaced,' and ensure correct pluralization and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'fish market... were,' 'bandstand were,' 'fountain were,' and 'playground were.' Additionally, there are errors in tense usage and article placement, such as 'Library was not existed.' While the writer attempts some complex structures, they are often marred by these persistent errors. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that plural nouns are matched with the correct verb forms. Reducing the frequency of these errors is necessary to move into the 6.0+ range.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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